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A 7-year-old girl riding in the back seat of her family's car was struck in the head by gunfire from another vehicle after a dispute at a Palmdale fuel station. The girl was hospitalized and on life support. Beverly White reports from Palmdale for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Sept. 4, 2013. (Published Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013)

A 7-year-old girl riding in the back seat of her family's car was struck in the head by gunfire from another vehicle after a dispute at a Palmdale fuel station, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Palmdale Station.

The girl was hospitalized in critical condition. A family member identified the young victim as 7-year-old Desiree Macias, of Palmdale, and said she was shot in the head.

At mid-day, family members told NBC4 Southern California they are waiting for other family members to arrive at the hospital before removing the girl from life support.

A shooting happened at about 12:45 a.m. near 57th Street East and East Avenue S. before a second round of gunfire near Essex Drive and Regency Place. Rounds may have been exchanged from car-to-car, officials said.

The dispute began at a nearby fuel station (map), according to investigators. Macias was in the backseat of her family's car when they were followed by another driver after leaving the fuel station.

Evidence markers indicating the discovery of bullet casings were placed in the street at four locations in a nearby neighborhood. At least two bullet holes were found in a red Toyota Corolla in which the six victims were traveling.

"I just saw a mother holding her child, bleeding out on the sidewalk," said resident Ray Desepio. "She was just screaming and screaming, 'My baby's been shot, she's been shot in the head.'"

Three people were booked on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the shootings. The attackers' vehicle also was located.

Authorities initially said two individuals wanted in connection with the crime might have left the location, but later determined all of the attackers were in custody.